Diversity and Civil Rights

Re “Diversity Is More Than Skin Deep,” by Gail Heriot, Column Right, July 14:

Professor Heriot’s lament for allegedly lost “diversity” overlooks the last 500 years of New World history. That is quite a feat.

Individuals were not enslaved, discriminated against, or otherwise maltreated with full political and legal sanctions, because they were trilingual poor white males. Discrimination occurred, and still occurs, on the basis of skin color and gender.

Heriot is a professor of law. Please ask her to write a column explaining why a Constitution that was interpreted to permit both slavery (1789-1865) and segregation (1789-1954) cannot also be interpreted to provide remedies for the predictable results of these practices.

I would like to hear from the professor how the California Civil Rights Initiative will bring about the end of race- and gender-based discrimination, and help create a fairer, more equal society.

JOHN R. YATES JR.

Pasadena

* Heriot’s view as to what constitutes affirmative action is so distorted as to be deceitful.

The words of the CCRI sound great. Who would want to “discriminate against, or grant preferential treatment” to anyone? But if this deceptive initiative is passed, it will mean an end to affirmative action for women and minorities. It is true, when pollsters ask Californians if they would vote for the initiative when just the words are read, there is a high yes vote. (How high depends on which polls you read.) But when what the initiative would do is explained--affirmative action would end--the yes vote drops anywhere from 30% to 50%. After the explanation, from 68% to 80% of voters support affirmative action.

Most Californians and Americans are not mean-spirited. They think that everyone should be given a fair chance. A no vote on CCRI is the way that policy will continue.

PEG YORKIN, Co-chair

No on CCRI Campaign

Los Angeles